NFL Referee Bill Leavy led an officiating crew that visited with the Denver Broncos this week, explaining rule changes and points of emphasis for the 2011 season.
The crew worked the team’s practices on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, giving the players and coaches an early look at how the season will be officiated.
Below are the key rule changes and points of emphasis to watch for this season:
Kickoffs are moved to the 35-yard line, kicking team may not line up more than five yards behind the 35-yard line
Reasoning: Player safety.
What to look for: With the additional five yards, expect more kickers to put the ball deep in the end zone – resulting in more touchbacks and fewer injuries on kickoff returns.
Since the coverage team will be limited to a five yard running start, there will be fewer full-speed collisions downfield.
Penalty: If the kicking team lines up more than five yards behind the restraining line (35-yard line), it will be flagged for illegal procedure (5 yards).
All scoring plays will be reviewed by the replay booth and coaches can no longer challenge any scoring plays
Reasoning: To increase the fairness of the game, the NFL Competition Committee determined that all scoring plays (including touchdowns, field goals, safeties and point after touchdown attempts) should be reviewed.
What to look for: Immediately following all scoring plays, the referee will hold action until he receive a message of ‘confirmed’ or ‘under review’ his pager. If the score is under review, the procedure will mirror the current review process where the referee and replay official will work together to determine the correct call.
As before, if no conclusive evidence exists to overturn the call, the ruling on the field will stand. If the score was confirmed by the replay official, game action will continue.
The replay official will examine all aspects of the scoring play during the review, including counting the number of players on the field for both teams.
Penalty: If a coach attempts to challenge a scoring play, it will result in a 15-yard penalty.
Contact with a quarterback’s head is no longer penalized, unless it is a ‘forcible blow’
Reasoning: The NFL Competition Committee did not want to penalize defensive players for incidental contact with quarterbacks.
What to look for: NFL officials will not throw flags for roughing the passer when defensive players graze the helmets of quarterbacks.
Penalty: None – as long as contact is incidental and not a ‘forcible blow.’
Playing surface must be a league-approved shade of green
Reasoning: To preserve the uniform appearance of all NFL games.
What to look for: All NFL fields will be green, preventing stadiums from utilizing different colors, as is permitted by the NCAA.
Penalty: N/A.
Key points of emphasis for 2011:
Updated the definition of launching
Reasoning: Player safety.
What to look for: Any player that leaves both feet to spring upward and forward to deliver a hit will fall under the definition of launching.
Penalty: Unnecessary roughness – 15 yards and the launching defender may be ejected from the game.
Updated the definition of a defenseless player
Reasoning: Increased player safety as a result of broadening the protection for defenseless players.
What to look for: Defenseless players were expanded to include players in the act of or immediately after throwing a pass, a player who has not had time to protect himself after attempting to make a reception, a runner whose forward progress has stopped, a player on the ground at the end of the play, a kicker or punter who is not engaged, a kick or punt returner in the process of fielding a kick in the air and players who receive blindside blocks.
Penalty: Unnecessary roughness – 15 yards.
Horsecollar tackles
Reasoning: Player safety.
What to look for: Grabbing the inside collar of the shoulder pad or jersey and immediately pulling down a runner will continue to be illegal. In 2011, this will be flagged, even if the runner is not pulled all the way to the ground.
Penalty: Unnecessary roughness – 15 yards.
Runners and tacklers will be penalized equally for grasping and twisting an opponent’s facemask
Reasoning: Player safety.
What to look for: In the past, facemask penalties have been primarily whistled on defensive players. In 2011, officials have made it a point of emphasis that the rule is applied consistently to all players – regardless of whether they are offensive or defensive players.
Penalty: Facemask – 15 yards.
To complete a catch, the receiver must have a firm grip and control of the ball, two feet (or another part of the body – besides for his hands) on the ground and he must maintain control of the ball long enough to perform an act ‘common to the game.’
Reasoning: To clarify the definition of a catch.
What to look for: All three of the requirements must be met for a play to be ruled a catch. If a player goes to the ground, he must maintain control throughout the entire process of contacting the ground.
Penalty: N/A
- Stuart Zaas
New blog
Just noticed we gonna be going against Tom Brandstater Thursday..the cowgirls picked him up…I use to like that kid..thought he had potential to be our Franchise guy but that went away when we drafted tebow lol
National Flag Football League is on it’s way. Or we can call it Powder-Puff Football free them in mini-skirts and if anything is touched they are down even with the tip of the finger. Football was tougher before Roger took over its getting whimper and whimper with every new rule. Players must be more fragile and weaker then the players in the 80′s and 90′s.
It’s time to get a USFL or something that plays the game like it was in the 80′s and 90′s. Lets get some real football let them play like it was meant to be. Man vs. Man… Not Cry Baby vs. Cry Baby
I would like to know what “perform an act ‘common to the game.” is (for the completed catch). I could never understand what a football move was in the ealier rule either.
tim tebow…
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